Latest news with #MilosForman
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Douglas Receives Surprise Karlovy Vary Award After Getting Old-Design Honor in 1998
Michael Douglas received a special surprise after introducing the screening of a restored version of Czech-American directing legend Miloš Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, starring Jack Nicholson, at the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) on Saturday. Douglas, who was a producer on the Oscar-winning movie, traveled to the picturesque Czech spa town for the first time since 1998 to present the new version during its 50th anniversary year. More from The Hollywood Reporter Agnieszka Holland on Her Kafka Film 'Franz' and Its Themes, Such as "Dangers of Totalitarian Society" Jodie Whittaker, Jason Watkins Added to BBC Cast for 'Dear England' Vicky Krieps on Jim Jarmusch, Choosing "to Not Prepare" for Roles, Ditching Her Phone for a Year After receiving a rapturous welcome on stage, Douglas shared some history about the film. He earned laughs and applause when he shared that he had arrived only three hours earlier and already enjoyed Czech duck and beer, namely Pilsner Urquell. He expressed gratitude to the festival and also had a special thanks to his Hollywood legend father. 'I have to thank my father, Kirk, for getting the rights to the book,' Douglas said. 'He tried to get it made as a movie for many years, and he couldn't, and he was going to sell it, and that was when I stepped in and I said, 'Dad, please, please don't sell this.' I never thought about being a producer, but I loved this project so much. So I thank my father for giving me that opportunity and not selling it.' After wishing the excited audience a great screening, KVIFF executive director Kryštof Mucha surprised Douglas by handing him a Crystal Globe statuette with the festival's trademark award design — a woman raising a crystal sphere. This version of the award has been used since the 35th anniversary of the festival in 2000, whereas Douglas had received the older design version, which Mucha explained had gained a reputation for not being easy to hold. He said Douglas could now replace the older with the handier new award. As Douglas posed with his new statuette in front of a photo showing him holding the old award in 1998, the audience broke into an enthusiastic standing ovation. Photographers then snapped pictures of Douglas before he left the stage to a hero's farewell. Asked about the new statuette at a press conference later in the day, Douglas said: 'They upgraded me.' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest made Oscar history as only the second movie to win all five major Academy Award categories: best picture (Douglas and Zaentz), best director (Forman), best actor (Jack Nicholson), best actress (Louise Fletcher), and best adapted screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman). The new version, restored by the Academy Film Archive, screened as part of KVIFF's 'Out of the Past' section in a special gala. The legendary Douglas was joined there by producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the late Saul Zaentz, who co-produced the film, as well as members of Forman's family. Adapted from Ken Kesey's novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest centers on Randle McMurphy, a rebellious gambler whose defiance of authority challenges the rigid system of a mental institution. The story is often described as a parable of freedom versus control. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Hollywood legend Michael Douglas drops career bombshell
After decades in the business and with dozens of films under his belt, Michael Douglas has 'no intention' of acting again. The 80-year-old delivered the sad update for fans during a press conference at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival where he was presenting a newly-restored print of Miloš Forman's classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, according to V ariety. 'I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realised I had to stop,' Douglas told the audience in the Czech Republic. 'I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set. I have no real intentions of going back. I say I'm not retired because if something special came up, I'd go back, but otherwise, no.' The Wall Street and Fatal Attraction star, who was diagnosed with throat cancer 15 years ago, but later revealed it had actually been tongue cancer, also talked about his health battle. 'Stage 4 cancer is not a holiday, but there aren't many choices, are there?' Douglas said. 'I went with the program, involving chemo and radiation, and was fortunate. The surgery would have meant not being able to talk and removing part of my jaw and that would have been limiting as an actor.' It comes after Douglas, who is now cancer-free, told Deadline that he was 'enjoying' his break from being in front of the camera while focusing on his personal life and producing films. Throughout his lengthy career, Douglas has earned plenty of accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Gordon Gekko in 1987 film Wall Street. He also produced the Jack Nicholson-led One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest in 1975, which went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. His other notable on-screen roles include in Romancing The Stone, Fatal Attraction, The War of the Roses, Basic Instinct, The American President and Solitary Man. Douglas is married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, with whom he shares a son and a daughter, and also has a son, Cameron, with ex-wife Diandra Luker.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Douglas To Present Newly Restored ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' At Karlovy Vary
Michael Douglas is set to attend this year's Karlovy Vary International Film Festival where he will present a newly restored version of Miloš Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which Douglas produced with Saul Zaentz. Douglas will be joined by Zaentz's nephew Paul Zaentz (producer of The English Patient and The Talented Mr. Ripley) as well as members of Forman's family, to present the restored version of the 1975 classic at a special gala screening as part of Karlovy Vary's 'Out of the Past' section this year. More from Deadline Michael Douglas, In Taormina To Receive Career Honor, Apologizes For U.S. Role In Ongoing Global Conflicts: "This Is The Worst Time That I Can Ever Remember" Karlovy Vary Film Festival Set To Revamp Industry Days Section With Bigger Focus On Series & Central European Co-Pros 50 Years On, Michael Douglas Reflects On His Epic Journey Making 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest': "The Movie Reflects What's Happening In America" Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Jack Nicholson starrer, which was originally announced in 1962 with Kirk Douglas attached, ended up winning five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), Best Director (Forman) and Best Screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman). The special screening in Karlovy Vary also honors the festival's long-standing ties to the classic film. Czech-American director Forman was a loyal supporter of the festival and he, along with Douglas, Zaentz and actor Danny DeVito, who also starred in the film, are all recipients of the festival's Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema. Adapted from Ken Kesey's novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest follows Randle McMurphy, a rebellious gambler whose defiance of authority challenges the rigid confines of a mental institution. A powerful parable of freedom versus control, the film marked a turning point in Forman's career and paved the way for his later international successes. 'We are truly honored to present One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on its 50th anniversary,' said KVIFF Executive Director Kryštof Mucha. 'The presence of Michael Douglas, Paul Zaentz and the Forman family will make this an unforgettable moment in the festival's history.' The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival takes place July 4-12. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Douglas Has ‘No Intention' of Returning to Acting, Says U.S. Idealism ‘Does Not Exist Now': ‘People Are Going Into Politics to Make Money'
Michael Douglas, who is at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival to present a newly restored print of Miloš Forman's classic 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' spoke at the festival about his fears for democracy in the U.S. under the Trump administration. When asked at a press conference about the state of politics in his home country, the Oscar-winner said the nation is currently 'flirting with autocracy.' 'I look at it generally as the fact of how precious democracy is, of how vulnerable it is and how it always has to be protected,' he added. 'I hope that what we're struggling with right now is a reminder of all the hard work the Czechs did in gaining their freedom and independence. Politics now seem to be for profit. Money has entered democracy as a profit centre. People are going into politics now to make money. We maintained an ideal, an idealism in the U.S., which does not exist now.' More from Variety Peter Sarsgaard on Speaking Out on 'Divided' U.S.: 'You Can Tell I Didn't Vote for Trump' Ukrainian Doc 'Divia,' Scored by Grammy-Winning Sam Slater, Takes on the Destruction of War - in the 'Koyaanisqatsi' Way Nathan Ambrosioni Finds Sympathy for 'Bad Mothers' in Camille Cottin Starrer 'Out of Love': 'If You Judge Your Characters, You Judge Your Audience' The actor wrapped his comment by saying he prefers 'not to go into too much detail' as 'the news speaks for itself.' 'I myself am worried, I am nervous, and I think it's all of our responsibility to look out for ourselves.' The screening of the multiple-Oscar-winning film took place half a decade after 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' played in Karlovy Vary and honors the classic's relationship to the town and Forman's home country. The director was a loyal supporter of the festival and, along with Douglas, 'Cuckoo' producer Saul Zaentz and Danny DeVito, who also appeared in the film, were all recipients of the festival's Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema. Douglas was joined in the spa town by Zaentz's nephew, producer Paul Zaentz, and members of Forman's family. 'The festival was just beginning when we first came here,' reminisced Douglas. 'It was a new festival and Miloš felt it was important to his country to be at the festival. I remember we had a good time, it's a charming, charming town. It's highly unusual to be supporting and honoring a movie from 50 years ago. It was a reminder for me of how special that picture was. It's a treat to come back here to the scene of the crime, where Miloš was brought up, with all of what he accomplished.' The actor looked back at the legendary 1976 Oscars Best Picture line up, which included Forman's eventual winner alongside 'Dog Day Afternoon,' 'Jaws,' 'Barry Lyndon' and 'Nashville.' 'I ask you, in the last 20 years, has there ever been anywhere near that kind of quality of movies there?' Zaentz agreed, adding that he wouldn't remake the film now, but is currently working on a series adaptation of Ken Kesey's classic from the point of view of Chief Bromden. 'We just made an arrangement with Kesey's family, to possibly do a television series, but it's based on the book and the book was told through the eyes of Chief Bromden. At the end of the first series, the Jack Nicholson character would die. And then the second year would be what happens to the Chief after he escapes. That I'm ok with, but never a remake of the movie.' The producer also mentioned he is working on an adaptation of an off-Broadway play, titled 'Backyard Desert,' and which trails four U.S border agents in Arizona who meet a dying Mexican immigrant trying to cross the border. 'They realize these are real people escaping terrible situations who deserve to be respected, not thrown into concentration camps in the Everglades. We're halfway through with the budget and hoping to be able to film it in October.' Zaentz is also working on a TV adaptation of another one of his uncle's Oscar-winning films, 'The English Patient,' although he says the 'beautiful' script he currently has right now 'is too expensive for the streamers.' 'It's based on what was in the book that was not in the movie. We're rewriting it now.' While most of the press conference revolved around the 50-year-old film and Douglas' legendary career, the actor also spoke about his present and future, most specifically his battle against throat cancer. 'Stage 4 cancer is not a holiday, but there aren't many choices, are there?,' he said. 'I went with the program, involving chemo and radiation, and was fortunate. The surgery would have meant not being able to talk and removing part of my jaw and that would have been limiting as an actor.' 'I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realized I had to stop,' he added. 'I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set. I have no real intentions of going back. I say I'm not retired because if something special came up, I'd go back, but otherwise, no.' Douglas did say he has 'one little independent movie' he is 'trying to get a good script out of,' but wrapped by stating that, 'in the spirit of maintaining a good marriage,' he is 'happy to play the wife' to his long-time wife Catherine Zeta-Jones for now. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Douglas Has ‘No Intention' of Returning to Acting, Says U.S. Idealism ‘Does Not Exist Now': ‘People Are Going Into Politics to Make Money'
Michael Douglas, who is at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival to present a newly restored print of Miloš Forman's classic 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' spoke at the festival about his fears for democracy in the U.S. under the Trump administration. When asked at a press conference about the state of politics in his home country, the Oscar-winner said the nation is currently 'flirting with autocracy.' 'I look at it generally as the fact of how precious democracy is, of how vulnerable it is and how it always has to be protected,' he added. 'I hope that what we're struggling with right now is a reminder of all the hard work the Czechs did in gaining their freedom and independence. Politics now seem to be for profit. Money has entered democracy as a profit centre. People are going into politics now to make money. We maintained an ideal, an idealism in the U.S., which does not exist now.' More from Variety Peter Sarsgaard on Speaking Out on 'Divided' U.S.: 'You Can Tell I Didn't Vote for Trump' Ukrainian Doc 'Divia,' Scored by Grammy-Winning Sam Slater, Takes on the Destruction of War - in the 'Koyaanisqatsi' Way Nathan Ambrosioni Finds Sympathy for 'Bad Mothers' in Camille Cottin Starrer 'Out of Love': 'If You Judge Your Characters, You Judge Your Audience' The actor wrapped his comment by saying he prefers 'not to go into too much detail' as 'the news speaks for itself.' 'I myself am worried, I am nervous, and I think it's all of our responsibility to look out for ourselves.' The screening of the multiple-Oscar-winning film took place half a decade after 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' played in Karlovy Vary and honors the classic's relationship to the town and Forman's home country. The director was a loyal supporter of the festival and, along with Douglas, 'Cuckoo' producer Saul Zaentz and Danny DeVito, who also appeared in the film, were all recipients of the festival's Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema. Douglas was joined in the spa town by Zaentz's nephew, producer Paul Zaentz, and members of Forman's family. 'The festival was just beginning when we first came here,' reminisced Douglas. 'It was a new festival and Miloš felt it was important to his country to be at the festival. I remember we had a good time, it's a charming, charming town. It's highly unusual to be supporting and honoring a movie from 50 years ago. It was a reminder for me of how special that picture was. It's a treat to come back here to the scene of the crime, where Miloš was brought up, with all of what he accomplished.' The actor looked back at the legendary 1976 Oscars Best Picture line up, which included Forman's eventual winner alongside 'Dog Day Afternoon,' 'Jaws,' 'Barry Lyndon' and 'Nashville.' 'I ask you, in the last 20 years, has there ever been anywhere near that kind of quality of movies there?' Zaentz agreed, adding that he wouldn't remake the film now, but is currently working on a series adaptation of Ken Kesey's classic from the point of view of Chief Bromden. 'We just made an arrangement with Kesey's family, to possibly do a television series, but it's based on the book and the book was told through the eyes of Chief Bromden. At the end of the first series, the Jack Nicholson character would die. And then the second year would be what happens to the Chief after he escapes. That I'm ok with, but never a remake of the movie.' The producer also mentioned he is working on an adaptation of an off-Broadway play, titled 'Backyard Desert,' and which trails four U.S border agents in Arizona who meet a dying Mexican immigrant trying to cross the border. 'They realize these are real people escaping terrible situations who deserve to be respected, not thrown into concentration camps in the Everglades. We're halfway through with the budget and hoping to be able to film it in October.' Zaentz is also working on a TV adaptation of another one of his uncle's Oscar-winning films, 'The English Patient,' although he says the 'beautiful' script he currently has right now 'is too expensive for the streamers.' 'It's based on what was in the book that was not in the movie. We're rewriting it now.' While most of the press conference revolved around the 50-year-old film and Douglas' legendary career, the actor also spoke about his present and future, most specifically his battle against throat cancer. 'Stage 4 cancer is not a holiday, but there aren't many choices, are there?,' he said. 'I went with the program, involving chemo and radiation, and was fortunate. The surgery would have meant not being able to talk and removing part of my jaw and that would have been limiting as an actor.' 'I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realized I had to stop,' he added. 'I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set. I have no real intentions of going back. I say I'm not retired because if something special came up, I'd go back, but otherwise, no.' Douglas did say he has 'one little independent movie' he is 'trying to get a good script out of,' but wrapped by stating that, 'in the spirit of maintaining a good marriage,' he is 'happy to play the wife' to his long-time wife Catherine Zeta-Jones for now. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
